macOS 10.12 Sierra Unsupported Macs Thread

[Sedulous]

I have never been on cutting edge real Macs. I built a really nice SL hackinthosh a few years back and even went to Lion with it but I just kept using my PPC macs to enjoy real Macs and the most recent Mac I have is my MB 5,2 and it does every thing I need from a Mac. Its funny how my old MB 2,1 is still holding strong with a SSD and 4GB ram on Windows 10 Pro. I have always loved these white books...

I don't even think it is a benefit for Apple to actively block capable machines. I would have thought it leads to OS fragmentation and that makes more work for Apple since they still have to test security patches for old OS on old machines anyway. I also don't think people buy a new computer just to have a new OS, they buy new computers for improved performance/hardware.

I am happy to help keep unsupported machines running. Learning a lot in this thread too!

 

[flowrider]

I was unable to update my MacBook5,1 to Sierra 10.12.2 since the App Store wasn't showing any updates to my existing 10.12.1. I used AUSEnabler to 1) reset catalogs, 2) switch the seed catalog. I then observed that I could then see an update to 10.12.3 Alpha. I used AUSEnabler to then switch back to the production branch catalog. Only then was I able to finally see the 10.2.2 updater in the App Store.

Your actual mileage may vary. ;-)

Or you could have just looked here:

https://support.apple.com/downloads/

Lou

 

[Sedulous]

Make all right, but when I double click modified .pkg I cann`t install in any HDD.

Sorry my English is very bad.

Ok, maybe images will help?

1: Download OS 10.12.2 from Apple here.
2: Open the downloaded .dmg (I downloaded macosupd10.12.2.dmg). I moved mine to the Desktop first.
3: Unpack .pkg in terminal (pkgutil --expand /source /destination). In this case, I unpacked the file from my Desktop to a folder called "Modified Installer" on my Desktop. NOTE: I have edited out my username so your terminal window will have your user name where there are large blank spaces in the attached screen shot.

4: Look up your Mac model's "boardID" here. Copy the boardID.
5: Inside the "Modified Installer" folder, open the "Distribution" file with text edit. Add the boardID inside the bracket after "var boardIds = ". Be sure to use straight ' and not ’.

6: In the "Distribution" file, scroll down to "var nonSupportedModels =" and remove your Mac's model from the list.

7: Save the modified "Distribution" file.
8: Flatten the modified pkg in terminal (pkgutil --flatten /modified_source /destination). In this case, I flattened the "Modified Installer" folder on my Desktop to a .pkg named "Install 10.12.2.pkg" on my Desktop. This step may take a minute or two so wait until complete (the command prompt will return and the red close window button will not have a black dot).

9: Double click your modified .pkg and run the installer normally. If you did not follow directions, you will get error because "Distribution" file checks your machine as not supported. Go back to step 4 and try again.

[doublepost=1481869540][/doublepost]

Or you could have just looked here:

https://support.apple.com/downloads/

Lou

The unmodified installer will not run on unsupported machines. But yeah, it is a good place to download updates if foxlet's AUS server isn't doing the job for you. If you have multiple machines you could consider making your own patched updater .pkg as I described above.

 

[foxlet]

Apparently some systems are stuck caching old catalogs which results in people thinking no new updates exist. You only have to reset the catalog to stock, run one "Checking for Updates" cycle, then switch back to Production or Seed.

 

[thewebgal]

Just a general question - I'm running Sierra 10.12.1
Hardware is a late 2009 macPro 4.1, flashed to 5.1, I pulled the 2.66 quad-core 2.66 and swapped in 3.33 hexcore processor board, upped it to 24g memory, upgrade to a newer Mac Graphics card (NVIDIA GeForce GTX 285 1024 MB graphics) and an updated Broadcom WiFi card ...

Card Type: AirPort Extreme (0x14E4, 0x111)
Firmware Version: Broadcom BCM43xx 1.0 (7.21.171.47.1a8)
MAC Address: ac:29:3a:9b:96:f9
Locale: RoW
Country Code: US
Supported PHY Modes: 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac

One Big question is - when I restart the machine, nearly half of the time, the Wifi symbol is greyed out.
Its just a fan shape with no curved lines in it. If I restart it again, it looks fine and works fine.
Otherwise - all seems happy ...

I got the regular 10.12.2 release from the App Store Weds evening, & had no problems with that,
tho I do seem to be on the notification list for all the beta releases as well.

 

[Machist]

Apparently some systems are stuck caching old catalogs which results in people thinking no new updates exist. You only have to reset the catalog to stock, run one "Checking for Updates" cycle, then switch back to Production or Seed.

Is it possible to schedule "reset catalog" runs automatically once a day?
Automator maybe?

 

[Moderus]

I have a Macbook Pro 4,1. I upgraded the wifi card to a compatible one and upgraded. Everything works except the trackpad. It doesn't show up in settings. It only moves and I can use the button, but nothing else. I've read through the thread but must have missed if this has been brought up before.
Any fix for this?

 

[Sedulous]

Is it possible to schedule "reset catalog" runs automatically once a day?
Automator maybe?

I'd imagine one could make a script to cycle catalog between foxlet's server and Apple production.

 

[ScooterComputer]

Just wanted to chime in… installed macOS Sierra 10.12.2 last night on my MacBook Pro 13" Mid 2009 (MacBookPro5,5), and everything is running great.

Did have to do, as foxlet mentioned a few posts up, the catalog switcheroo in AUSEnabler in order to see the update, but after that everything went smoothly. I generally keep my catalog on Apple Production, as that keeps the Update nagging at bay (since my "obsolete" hardware, helpfully, doesn't qualify +1).

ADD-IN: I also noticed a HUUUUGE improvement in 10.12.2 wrt to Autocorrect Spelling. It was so laggy on 10.12 that I had to turn it off completely. But I just re-enabled it a bit ago, and spelling is getting corrected instantly with NO lag, even as I type here. Significant.

I really think this move by Apple to not support the 2009 MacBook Pros is backfiring. The 2009 model was a HUGE seller, I personally "sold" a lot of them. (I'm a consultant, not a salesperson… but my clients usually do what I counsel them to do.) That 'wave" rolled into 2010 too. So I get to talk to a lot of 2009 and 2010 users; 2010 users are dismayed to hear of an impending lack of support, and 2009 users are just downright pissed. Overwhelmingly, these are users who upgraded drives, RAM, and now to SSDs and have been THRILLED that their MacBook Pros have grown along with them. The "value" to them is OFF THE CHARTS! However, with only a few exceptions, they look at the cost of the new MacBooks Pros as a nonstarter, a complete disintegration of the value/growth proposition. A few have started looking for inexpensive 2012 models, which would take their current SSDs. A few have started looking at Windows ultrabooks. But far fewer have any serious interest in new MacBook Pros. And universally, no one is interested in buying the 2015 MacBook Pros, all seeing them for the ridiculous offering that they are: 24 month old CPUs, 18 month old models, in 4 year old chassises, at the same price Apple started selling them at a year and a half ago… they weren't enticing as an upgrade THEN, certainly are not an enticing upgrade NOW just because Apple decided to raise prices even more! The same mindset seems to prevail on the MacBook Airs. And ANY interest in the $1299 MacBook dies as soon as users wrap their heads around what having only ONE USB port will mean (especially at that price point). Apple really has slammed on the door, IMHO, on a great number of customers that they GAINED with the introduction of the then-long-awaited 2009 MacBook Pro 13". Perhaps Tim Cook and team are happy with that; I am not. And not only because I'm a 2009 MBP owner, but because I am clearly seeing the fallout against the momentum of Mac excitement and sales.

 

[pastrychef]

A few have started looking for inexpensive 2012 models, which would take their current SSDs.

If Apple keeps to their designating 5-7 year old systems as vintage and/or obsolete, a 2012 MacBook Pro could very well lose support for OS updates for the next version of macOS. Not a very wise purchase at all.

 

[ScooterComputer]

If Apple keeps to their designating 5-7 year old systems as vintage and/or obsolete, a 2012 MacBook Pro could very well lose support for OS updates for the next version of macOS. Not a very wise purchase at all.

The 2012 non-Retina was hardware similar to 2013 Retina MBPs. And there are TOO many MacBook Pro 15" and 17" Core i5/i7 that are also similar in hardware specs for them to cancel that far forward… I'd think. It is one thing to kill 2009 MacBook Pros while still supporting the 2009 MacBook; but from 2010 through 2013, there are a lot of similarities. Best case, we'll see projects like this "fix" Apple's screw up.

 

[pastrychef]

The 2012 non-Retina was hardware similar to 2013 Retina MBPs. And there are TOO many MacBook Pro 15" and 17" Core i5/i7 that are also similar in hardware specs for them to cancel that far forward… I'd think. It is one thing to kill 2009 MacBook Pros while still supporting the 2009 MacBook; but from 2010 through 2013, there are a lot of similarities. Best case, we'll see projects like this "fix" Apple's screw up.

From what I've seen, hardware compatibility has little to do with Apple's decisions on when to deem a product "vintage" and/or "obsolete".

If/when Apple does drop support for a product that is still theoretically hardware compatible, there usually are means to get the OS installed.

 

[fischersd]

I have a Macbook Pro 4,1. I upgraded the wifi card to a compatible one and upgraded. Everything works except the trackpad. It doesn't show up in settings. It only moves and I can use the button, but nothing else. I've read through the thread but must have missed if this has been brought up before.
Any fix for this?

So, you removed the existing wifi and bluetooth modules then, yes? (most newer cards are both wifi as well as bluetooth - you need to remove the existing bluetooth adapter or you'll have issues).
But, as far as your trackpad? Shouldn't be a problem at all. Maybe you disconnected it when you had the system open? Double-check your cables - maybe you pulled one of them.

Edit:
See here: https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/MacBoo...29+and+A1261+AirPort+Extreme+Replacement/2184
Step 10 - check the ribbon cable and the end (make sure none of the teeth look bent, that the spacing is still uniform) - also check where it connect on the system board.

 

[Moderus]

So, you removed the existing wifi and bluetooth modules then, yes? (most newer cards are both wifi as well as bluetooth - you need to remove the existing bluetooth adapter or you'll have issues).
But, as far as your trackpad? Shouldn't be a problem at all. Maybe you disconnected it when you had the system open? Double-check your cables - maybe you pulled one of them.

Edit:
See here: https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/MacBoo...29+and+A1261+AirPort+Extreme+Replacement/2184
Step 10 - check the ribbon cable and the end (make sure none of the teeth look bent, that the spacing is still uniform) - also check where it connect on the system board.

There's no issue with the wifi. I changed it out with no problems at all.
My issue is with the trackpad not working properly. It's not a connection problem. I went back to El Capitan and it works perfectly. Both times I put Sierra on here the trackpad doesn't show up in settings and doesn't work other than being able to move the arrow and click the button.

 

[fischersd]

There's no issue with the wifi. I changed it out with no problems at all.
My issue is with the trackpad not working properly. It's not a connection problem. I went back to El Capitan and it works perfectly. Both times I put Sierra on here the trackpad doesn't show up in settings and doesn't work other than being able to move the arrow and click the button.

My point was that you had the system open to change the wifi card - in doing so, you could have impacted the connector / ribbon cable.
But, that it's acting like a mouse at least suggests that the connectivity is there. That's odd that you're having a problem.

You sure you have a 4,1 MacBook pro? 2008? The 4,2 Macbook's have that problem. The Trackpad in the Pro's is different - haven't heard of anyone having an issue under Sierra.

 

[StuBFrost]

My point was that you had the system open to change the wifi card - in doing so, you could have impacted the connector / ribbon cable.
But, that it's acting like a mouse at least suggests that the connectivity is there. That's odd that you're having a problem.

You sure you have a 4,1 MacBook pro? 2008? The 4,2 Macbook's have that problem. The Trackpad in the Pro's is different - haven't heard of anyone having an issue under Sierra.

I have a MacBook Pro 4.1 from 2008 and have a slightly different trackpad problem. For me the two finger click for right click doesn't work but it does on El Capitan. Everything else on the trackpad does work and the settings appear fine as well. Luckily for me it isn't a big issue but maybe different hardware exists for these models which maybe why Apple dropped it as a supported model.

 

[Moderus]

My point was that you had the system open to change the wifi card - in doing so, you could have impacted the connector / ribbon cable.
But, that it's acting like a mouse at least suggests that the connectivity is there. That's odd that you're having a problem.

You sure you have a 4,1 MacBook pro? 2008? The 4,2 Macbook's have that problem. The Trackpad in the Pro's is different - haven't heard of anyone having an issue under Sierra.

I appreciate the suggestions but let's assume I'm not a novice and that I have experience opening up computers and I know what I'm doing.
I'm just asking if anyone would know a software reason on why the trackpad would be malfunctioning on my 4,1 Macbook Pro(yes, I'm sure I have a 4,1) on Sierra and working fine on all previous OS's. I'll look into what trackpad I have as it may very well be the one that doesn't work.

 

[fischersd]

I appreciate the suggestions but let's assume I'm not a novice and that I have experience opening up computers and I know what I'm doing.
I'm just asking if anyone would know a software reason on why the trackpad would be malfunctioning on my 4,1 Macbook Pro(yes, I'm sure I have a 4,1) on Sierra and working fine on all previous OS's. I'll look into what trackpad I have as it may very well be the one that doesn't work.

You'll have the same as everyone else unless you've swapped it out and it's not original (anything before 2008 didn't have that multi-touch trackpad and would be treated like a mouse under Sierra).

 

[virk]

I have MBP 5,5 and am currently working with 10.12.1. App Store "offers" me to update to 10.12.3 beta 1 but I only want to update to 10.12.2. What do I need to do for that? Remark: When I reset catalogues to "normal", no system update is presented, only iTunes.

 

[pastrychef]

I have MBP 5,5 and am currently working with 10.12.1. App Store "offers" me to update to 10.12.3 beta 1 but I only want to update to 10.12.2. What do I need to do for that? Remark: When I reset catalogues to "normal", no system update is presented, only iTunes.

Set to "production" branch.

 

[virk]

Set to "production" branch.

Thank you. That worked!

 

[jpearn]

You'll have the same as everyone else unless you've swapped it out and it's not original (anything before 2008 didn't have that multi-touch trackpad and would be treated like a mouse under Sierra).

I have had the same problem on my 15" and 17" 4,1 with the trackpad; 2 fingers work OK but it doesn't show in the preference pane. Tried using El Capitan pref panes, swapped a few kexts around with no joy. It's multi-boot so shows fine in El Capitan and Windows 10. I don't think there was any solution to this as I have been watching this thread from the start !

 

[TRSHD]

Hello all!

Ok, searching this massive thread seemed a bit too much for me, so I figured I'd ask nicely, in case anyone has run into the same situation I am...

I've been trying to install Sierra on my late 2008 Macbook (5,1) with the help of the patch tool, but the initial boot from USB never EVER completes. I've tried letting it load for over an hour, tried different USB keys, and so on... I'm usually able to troubleshoot issues like these myself, but I have to admit I'm completely lost right now... Any hints, anyone?

 

[iModFrenzy]

A few days ago I ordered a MacBook 2010 WiFi Card for my MacBook Air 2,1 2010. After a few days of waiting the card has finally arrived!

I took my MBA 2,1 apart and removed the old WiFi card. The next step was fitting the 2010 one. It was a bit tough. The antennas did not want to snap in but I finally pressed them in and taped them down with electrical tape. Once I pressed them in, I secured them with the old bracket(very tight fit but it works). And the back plate went on without a hitch (pictures attached)

I hit the power button and viola! the card works! I was able to connect to my home wifi just fine! I am facing the problem though of not being able to use Siri or iMessage. Maybe I need to reset Sierra? Oh well, point is the wifi card works with Sierra. 6$ was well worth it

 

[virk]

Hello all!

Ok, searching this massive thread seemed a bit too much for me, so I figured I'd ask nicely, in case anyone has run into the same situation I am...

I've been trying to install Sierra on my late 2008 Macbook (5,1) with the help of the patch tool, but the initial boot from USB never EVER completes. I've tried letting it load for over an hour, tried different USB keys, and so on... I'm usually able to troubleshoot issues like these myself, but I have to admit I'm completely lost right now... Any hints, anyone?

If you normally troubleshoot by yourself, I can only be of minor help
1) USB ports okay?
2) Hard-disc you want to install onto okay?
3) Why do you think that one hour is enough?
4) What did you see on the screen that let you finally cancel the installation? Be a little bit more precise, what happened?
5) Are you sure, you have Macbook5,1?
6) USB-Stick installed with which version of Sierra patch tool?
7) Can anybody confirm that Macbook5,1 is really supported? I do not know that.